Fallujah University Hosts National Conference on Terrorism and Intellectual Confrontation
Al-Fallujah, Iraq – March 18, 2025 – Under the patronage of His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, and under the supervision of the Honorable President of the University of Fallujah, Professor Dr. Ahmed Suleiman Hamad, the University of Fallujah launched the National Conference entitled “Terrorism and the Challenges of Intellectual Confrontation” on Monday morning.
The conference, organized by the university in cooperation with the Prime Minister - the Advisory Office for Dialogue and Rapprochement Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research - the Department of Research and Development, and the General Directorate for Combating Intellectual Terrorism, saw an official and academic presence. Attendees included representatives of local and security authorities, led by Mr. Saad Ghazi Al-Muhammadi (Anbar Provincial Council member), Brigadier General Abdul-Jabbar Al-Bilawi (Fallujah Police Director), Mr. Haider Al-Abdali (Director of Combating Intellectual Terrorism in Anbar), Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Al-Nouri (Assistant Director General of the General Directorate for Combating Intellectual Terrorism), Professor Dr. Suleiman Barak Al-Jumaili (Assistant to the University President for Administrative Affairs), university deans, and a group of researchers and public figures.
The conference activities, under the slogan “Combating intellectual extremism is the path to national peace,” commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem and a reading of Surat Al-Fatihah in tribute to the Iraqi martyrs.
The President of the University delivered a speech emphasizing that holding the conference stemmed from the national responsibility to confront extremism and intellectual terrorism. He highlighted the significant efforts of the University of Fallujah in combating terrorist extremism and consolidating societal peace, in line with the Ministry of Higher Education's strategy. This includes adopting awareness-raising activities and holding joint seminars to instill noble values and protect society from extremist ideas.
The conference featured 28 researchers from various Iraqi universities and was divided into two discussion sessions that reviewed 26 research papers addressing various aspects of the conference agenda.
The conference concluded with several key recommendations, including:
- The need for all societal institutions to unite against intellectual extremism.
- Emphasizing the importance of scholars and specialists building bridges of dialogue and communication with young people.
- Investing in youth energies and providing a safe and supportive environment through student activities.
- Educating students on dialogue, acceptance of others, and avoiding extremism.
- Treating images of deviance with balance and objectivity to avoid planting the seeds of extremism.
- Including religious curricula in educational programs to develop healthy personalities.
- Calling for a renewal of religious discourse.
- The necessity of unifying fatwa sources on major issues at the state level.
- Finding a reference point acceptable to young people.
- Publishing studies and research that address suspicions of fanaticism and extremism.
- Strengthening educational institutions, particularly universities, families, and places of worship, to confront deviant ideas.
At the conclusion of the conference, researchers and participants were honored with shields and certificates of appreciation, and commemorative photos were taken.
Department of Media and Government Communications University of Fallujah
